Auckland: Champ Canteen

Owners of the very popular restaurant Rad has opened up their sister restaurant Champ Canteen in the very convenient location of the heart of Newmarket. Again bringing similar vibes to Rad, snug in a chic and bright location.

The menu follows a subtle tone of Vietnamese flavours influenced from the owners background. I think the toastie idea is great – that kiwi favourite – having your usual flavours with a gourmet twist on it – but…I think although us Kiwis love our white bread – for the steeper price being charged, they need to gourmet that bread up to really make it worth its while – they serve a delicious banh mi bun at Rad – why not bring some of that delicious dough to Champ?

Spaghetti and Sausage Toastie

I snuck a 2nd quiet lunch in on a breezy Sunday afternoon. I am a sucker for soft shell crab. I must order it at every restaurant that offers it #Crabsnob. The soft shell crab salad was beautifully light, without the dressing overwhelming the salad. The caramel salad bowl, the salmon was perfectly cooked and delicately simple.

Caramel Salmon Bowl

Soft Shell Crab Salad

The menu brings a step up from your comfort food, bringing in flavours you know and love. Its the type of food I happily cook at home, which is great, but doesn’t wow me knowing its a menu I could confidently replicate. Although in saying that, it’s always nice when someone else cooks for you. Finish off your lunch with a comforting doughnut – the picture doesn’t do it justice, but it was a soft chewy dough without being too sweet.